Get to know Helen Phillips better.

I enjoy the challenge of a difficult search. Perhaps that stems from my childhood love of Easter egg hunts, or my love of mysteries, or my passion for searching out the unknown. Finding affordable property can be quite a challenge in the mountains of Northwestern North Carolina….and with good reason! Many people are like me — once I’d seen this area, I knew it was where I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I enjoy helping other folks find a place to live here, too — whether it’s to live here year-round or to find a spot to come for occasional visits.

To give you an idea of who I am, here are some of my past and current activities:

I volunteered for years [until it ceased] with Blue Ridge Community Theatre [BRCT]. In Spring, 2002, I co-produced our Spring musical, Oklahoma! This is, in part, to pay back the debt I owe to BRCT for the many years it allowed me to fulfill one of my life-long desires: being in the cast of the great musicals — Music Man, Sound of Music, Peter Pan [my all-time favorite role for myself: Hannah, the nanny dog], The King and I, and many others.

For years, I’ve taught Cultural Anthropology at Caldwell Community College and Appalachian State University.

I founded Blazing Saddles, a horseback riding for handicapped program.

I worked for 10 years as a ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For three years I had the delightful pleasure of working as a seasonal ranger, giving campfire programs and guided walks. I then worked for seven years as a law enforcement ranger on the Parkway. This will explain why, as we drive around together looking for property, I may start giving you history and naturalist lessons. You’re welcome to re-direct my chatter if I get too carried away telling you about local history rather than filling you in about real estate.

I spent two years as Director of the Watauga Hunger Coalition, and another year as Statewide Projects Director for the North Carolina Hunger Coalition.

I’ve lived in the area since 1975, and sold real estate here since 1998.

Nothing thrills me more than finding an opportunity to get out in the woods and go hiking. I’m delighted to show you houses, but watch out if your interest is in land!…..I may not know when to quit.

Since 1998, I have enabled over 500 buyers and sellers to move on in their lives through their purchase or sale of homes and land in the mountains of western North Carolina. Having lived here since 1975, I am intimately familiar with all areas of Ashe, Watauga, and Avery counties, knowledge that is an invaluable resource to my buyers and sellers.

I am dedicated to providing superior service to my buyers and sellers. Having continually sought top-notch education in the profession, I have learned and have implemented systems that enable buyers to quickly and efficiently find their dream property and that enable serious sellers to make their homes the outstanding value on the market.

My interests outside real estate extend to my family, my passion for photography, composing music, completing a book about my experience as a Law Enforcement Ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway, volunteering for Parent-to-Parent [a local non-profit organization that puts together and provides resources to families with children who have diversabilities], teaching cultural anthropology locally, community theatre, Toastmasters, hiking, and friends.

My professional designations include: ABR [Accredited Buyers Representative], GRI [Graduate Realtors Institute], and CRS {Certified Residential Specialist]. The best education in real estate emanates from Ft. Collins, CO, under the leadership of Larry Kendall and is fondly referred to as Ninja Selling.

I hope I sound like the ‘right’ realtor for you — and that you’ll give me a try!